Nets Burn Bobcats, 105-89 (GAME GRADES)

The Nets cruised to this one behind a strong third quarter, playing good enough defense on a bad enough team to force the Bobcats into bad shots while hitting the open ones. Offense had a natural flow against the sixth-best defense in the league, and once the Nets kept Al Jefferson from making a significant impact, the Bobcats couldn’t get into a regular flow. A solid win over a tired team.

Deron Williams POINT GUARD

Was quiet in the first half but an integral part of the third-quarter run that sealed the game for Brooklyn. He’s not up to A-speed yet, but maybe he’s getting there. The All-Star break rest should do him good.

Shaun Livingston POINT GUARD

Mostly quiet, but a couple of good defensive moments.

Joe Johnson SHOOTING GUARD

Was a complete non-factor in the first half, but hit a couple of wide-open three-pointers in the third quarter to help build the game-deciding lead.

Paul Pierce POWER FORWARD

Nice to see him get off to a hot start and keep it going throughout. His above-the-break three-point shooting is so valuable in a league that increasingly values (and thus tries to cut off) the corners. Continued to score throughout the game, including a red-hot 14-point third quarter, and played well enough that he didn’t have to play in the 4th. Still put up a game-high 25 points, hitting all five of his three-point attempts. One of his best games of 2014.

Kevin Garnett CENTER

Andray Blatche may think he’s a point guard in transition, but Kevin Garnett quietly is one in the half-court. Glad to see his jumper’s got him on speed dial these days. Impassioned defense on Al Jefferson and a giant band-aid on his skull. All in a day’s work.

Andray Blatche POWER FORWARD

Makes Sochi look organized. Nobody pushes the envelope to the edge of a cliff more, and his burnt-off Men-in-Black fingerprints were all over this one; ran the point in transition, pump-faked and dunked off the dribble — twice, allowed Al Jefferson to score with impunity, got caught palming the ball on a crossover (what big man does that!?), and hit a jumper after a dirty behind-the-back crossover in garbage time.

Andrei Kirilenko SMALL FORWARD

Loved his post move on Josh McRoberts, waiting just enough time to draw a double-team before making Bismack Biyombo pay by hitting Mason Plumlee with a pass for an open dunk. Hit two ridiculous falling layups in the fourth quarter as icing on the cake.

Alan Anderson SHOOTING GUARD

That pass to Mirza Teletovic for a layup in the fourth quarter was really nice. I don’t really remember much else.

Mirza Teletovic POWER FORWARD

Two crucial three-pointers in the second quarter helped the Nets enter the half with a lead, and I maintain he’s underrated both as a passer and on the glass, if only for his effort boxing out.

Mason Plumlee CENTER

Jason Terry immediately tried to recreate the magic of their “5,000th assist” alley-oop from Sunday night, to no avail. Quiet after his big Sunday night.

Jason Terry POINT GUARD

Hit a 3 in a blowout, proving the “Terry is better in blowouts” theory infallible.